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Honda Civic Type R Concept to hatch in Geneva

As if the Geneva Motor Show isn't exciting enough, now we have word that a new version of a certain iconic Japanese hot hatch will make an appearance there in a few weeks time. Honda has announced that its Civic Type R Concept will be revealed during the show's media days, which take place March 4 and 5.

Since this is Honda we're talking about, we should point out that the "Concept" part of the Civic Type R's name is usually a bit of a misnomer. For the past few years, the Japanese automaker has made a habit of attaching "Concept" to the end of several near-production models in the name of drumming up auto show excitement (see Exhibits A, B, C, D and E). So really, this is almost certainly the next Civic Type R, a car we've kind of already driven.

The latter car was a "development" model, but we aren't expecting a lot to change between it and the production model. As previously reported, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine should deliver north of 280 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed gearbox. Have a look up top at the sole image of the hot Civic released by Honda, and then scroll down for the official press release.

Show full PR text

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R CONCEPT SET FOR WORLDWIDE DEBUT AT THE 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Honda has revealed its 2014 Geneva Motor Show line-up, including the worldwide debut of the Civic Type R Concept model, the European debut of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Concept, the powertrain layout of the new NSX and the 2014 Civic World Touring Car Championship race car.

Racing Car for the Road – Civic Type R Concept
Honda's appearance at the 2014 Geneva Motorshow will lead with the worldwide reveal of the Civic Type R Concept model, providing the styling direction for the exterior design of the highly-anticipated production version that debuts in 2015. Dubbed by the design team as a 'racing car for the road', its bold and expressive styling reflects the strong performance characteristics for which Type R is renowned.

Advanced Technology Leadership – FCEV Concept
Further underlining Honda's leadership in the development of advanced technology, the FCEV Concept makes its first European appearance. Sleek and aerodynamic, the Concept points to the potential styling direction of Honda's next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle which launches in the U.S. and Japan in 2015, followed by Europe.

Racing Spirit – 2014 Civic World Touring Car Championship livery
Following victory in the Manufacturers' Championship of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship, Honda will also reveal the livery of the 2014 Civic WTCC car. Additionally it will showcase its long history in Formula One with the RA271 that competed in 1964 making its debut in the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and the record-breaking turbo-charged RA168E engine which dominated the 1988 season.

The Honda Press Conference will take place at 14:15 CET on Tuesday 4th March on the Honda stand (4250).

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^ Correct. The Integra (last generation was called RSX in US) wasn't different enough from the '06 Si to justify production. Additionally, Acura was shifting their brand strategy (a move we can now see sucked) and a hot hatch didn't fit.
Honda should have left the RSX double wishbone when the Civic went MacPherson and kept a 25%hp advantage over the Si, even if it cost more to the customer.

The Integra/RSX was Acuras best selling model. They killed it due to the "boy racer" image associated with it. At the time, competing luxury brands didn't have hatchbacks -- which people inevitably riced out. Honda pretty much shifted the model to the 06 Civic Si.

Honda needs a Civic that is as much a game-changer as was the 8th-gen that debuted for the 2006 model year, and this may very well be it. I love my '11 Si to pieces, but sometimes I do tire of revving to 8K RPM just to harness a little passing power. This is the era of forced induction, and Honda needs to embrace it.

Honda has been building cars for the masses. Selling cars is number one priority as much as I hate that kind of thinking .... it has been quite a while since Honda has put a truly sporty car in the lineup ( Accord V-6 Coupe / Civic SI are the only cars in the lineup to provide thrills ) since the S2000 was cut. A Civic Type R like the one above with 280 HP would get me looking at Honda again ! When they ruled the late 80s early 90s with the V-Tech engines it was Formula One inspired technology to put the MOJO in Honda engines.... now every car manufacturer has copied the technology used the make engines more efficient & still provide speed. Honda is coming back to Formula One & maybe the inspiration to have a True Sports Car in the lineup will reappear !

you mean.... every thought..... is ...... thought ..... out like.....this.....cuz...... of..... how slow..... your thoughts.....are .....in....between......words (piece of shiet use of commas, periods, etc)

I mostly love the part where Honda was publicly against turbocharging their engines and that turned out to be WRONG. We all said that the instant they announced it and were labeled as "niche" buyers. Looks like the market trends followed the "niche" buyers..... again.
Now Honda has to eat their words and release their first performance-based turbo engine in years.... (yes I know about the RDX, that was not performance)

You're not exactly right. The main reason why Honda has gone turbo, is the same reason why the previous civic type r was discontinued so long before the new model arrives, or why RX-8 had to go. Emissions. European standards are especially difficult to comply with for high output, high revving na engines. While i think that in Hondas mainstream cars, turbo engines, with their fat torque curve, will be a great addiction, I will rather miss their crazy, high revving hatches. I think that n/a engines coupled with manual gearbox suit hot hatches perfectly and in most hot hatches comparison I have seen, journalists seemed to agree(f. e. previous gen clio rs, ep3 type r). But that's gone now, lets hope manuals wont go away too soon.